Flexible display devices with a modular rigid display

ABSTRACT

Foldable touch screen display devices with a flexible display including foldable segments to configure from a compact state to an expanded state, and a fold over camera window are described. The form factor of the compact state can be the size of a handheld phone. The form factor of the expanded state can be the size of a tablet computer, and can include the mechanical functionality of a laptop. Both states include an integrated speaker and microphone. The fold over camera window allows symmetrically folding so that edges of each segment are tangent with each other in a fully folded state. The device includes sensors indicating the state of configuration and mechanisms for alignment, locking, and further structural support. A module attached to at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display contains all processing and memory, and a communications system to be used in any state.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.62/994,161, filed Mar. 24, 2020 and titled “FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICESWITH A MODULAR RIGID DISPLAY,” which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computing devices, and moreparticularly, to a computing device with a touch screen display that canbe folded from a compact state to an expanded state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of handheld computing devices today has been significantlyenabled by a number of advancements in electronics, including theminiaturization of components, an increase in processing speeds,improved memory capacity, and the optimization of battery efficiency.Advancements in touch screen display technology have also enabledinterfaces to become more adaptable and intuitive to use on a smallscale. Because of these enormous improvements over the last decade, thedifferences in the performance between handheld computing devices, suchas mobile phones, and larger computing devices, have become increasinglysubtle.

One of the great difficulties in using a small-scale touch screendevice, however, is in the fact that it can often be cumbersome tophysically interact with. This is especially apparent when selecting andmanipulating features and inputting text, which can sometimes beimprecise for a user. Additionally, in such handheld computing devicesas a touch screen mobile phone, the limited size of the display cansignificantly reduce the viewing capacity while watching videos, usinggraphic-intensive applications, and reading text. The rigid nature of astandard touch screen display can also limit the portability of a devicewhen its form factor is on the larger size range for a phone, or at thescale of a tablet, which makes folding a desirable feature.

There is therefore a need for touch screen displays having increasedsize without sacrificing the convenience of a small device

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

To mitigate the difficulties associated with having a single rigid touchscreen display device, variations on flexible displays and theimplementation of multiple screen displays have been proposed andimplemented to enable the transformation of a display from a compactstate to an expanded state. Although the use of flexible displays andmultiple screen displays offer the advantages of a transformation inscale, there are still a number of limitations as to how they can beimplemented. For example, when a flexible display device can fold to acompact state such that it is closed like a book, a rigid display mustbe integrated on the back side of the device so that the device can befurther used as a phone or for notifications depending on how small thedevice's folded state is. However, having a rigid display on the backside can be extraneous when the flexible display portion of the deviceis unfolded and being used. To overcome this limitation, providingmodularity and a connection interface between the flexible display andthe rigid display to be used within a single device provides greatercapacity in terms of folding configurations and use cases, i.e., theflexible display or rigid display can be used within separate standalonedevices or integrated together within one device.

There is a need for a computing device that can retain the form factorand functionality of a phone, while also providing a touch screendisplay that can be reconfigured from a compact state to an expandedstate. Furthermore, there is a need for a foldable device that providesmodularity when the device integrates both flexible displays and rigiddisplays. A modular interface between displays would ultimately bringgreater adaptability to such devices.

Foldable touch screen display devices with a flexible display unit madeup of segments that can be reconfigured from a compact state to anexpanded state which includes a modular rigid display that may beattached to the flexible display unit is disclosed. The form factor ofthe compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone orsmaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of alarger phone or tablet computer, which may also include the mechanicalfunctionality of a laptop. A third state whereby the attached rigiddisplay is folded out such that its top surface is aligned with the topsurface of the unfolded flexible display, may provide the use of bothdisplays simultaneously. All folded states may include an integratedspeaker and microphone. The devices may further include sensors toindicate the state of configuration and mechanisms for alignment,locking, and structural support. In one embodiment, a module attachedto, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segmentof the flexible display or rigid display may contain all orsubstantially all processing and memory, along with a communicationssystem, which may be used in any state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a rigid display being attached to theflexible display portion of a foldable computing device through asliding connector interface;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view and top view of a locking mechanism andsupporting magnetic connections for the sliding connector interfaceillustrated in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a view of a release button situated on the back side of theinterface shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 that unlocks the sliding connector;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing three sectional views of the release buttonand locking mechanism from FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 transitioning from a lockedstate to an unlocked state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a folding sequence for the foldabledisplay device illustrated in FIG. 1 transitioning from an unfoldedstate to a folded state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment for a foldable displaydevice with a flexible display portion shown detached and then attachedto a modular rigid display portion having interface tabs and a slidingconnector;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment for a foldable displaydevice with a flexible display portion shown detached and then attachedto a modular rigid display having flat interface pads and a slidingconnector;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment for a foldable displaydevice with a flexible display portion shown detached and then attachedto a modular rigid display having interface tabs;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment for a foldable displaydevice with a flexible display portion shown detached and then attachedto a modular rigid display having flat interface pads;

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard,discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”,“checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) ofa computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or otherelectronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms datarepresented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within thecomputer's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computer's registersand/or memories or other information non-transitory storage medium thatmay store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Althoughembodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms“plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example,“multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” maybe used throughout the specification to describe two or more components,devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. Unless explicitlystated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to aparticular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described methodembodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performedsimultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a foldablecomputing device 15 is shown with a single flexible display made up of afirst flexible display segment 17 and a second flexible display segment23 that can both fold flat against each other through hinge 29, which issituated below and in between both segments. The diagram of FIG. 1further illustrates a rigid display module 11 being attached to the leftside of first flexible display segment shown with foldable computingdevice 15 through sliding channel interface 35. The top image showsrigid display module 11 detached from foldable computing device 15,while the middle image shows rigid display module 11 slid partially intosliding channel interface 35 on the left side of foldable computingdevice 15. Rigid display module 11 is then shown in the bottom imagefully engaged with foldable computing device 15. Rigid display module 11is made up of rigid display 19 and a speaker opening 31. Slidingconnector 36 is attached to rigid display 11 through a flexible material33 which allows rigid display 11 to fold along the edge of foldabledevice 15 when sliding connector 36 it attached to sliding channelinterface 35. Flexible material 33 could also be replaced with a rigidmechanism that might be hinged together in sections, or through othermeans, so that rigid display 11 can be folded from the position it isshown in FIG. 1, to the back side of foldable device 15 which is furtherillustrated in FIG. 5. A peripheral port 25 is situated at the bottom offoldable device 15 along with speaker and microphone openings 27. It isimportant to note that the sliding channel interface and the slidingconnector could be swapped such that the sliding channel interface isintegrated along the edge of rigid display module 11 while the slidingconnector is integrated along the edge of foldable computing device 15.

To elaborate on sliding channel interface 35 and sliding connector 36which engages with it, FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional detailed view ofthis configuration and the locking mechanism 57 that locks slidingconnector 36 within sliding channel interface 35. Ultimately, forlocking mechanism 57 to hold sliding connector in place, a spring 65which surrounds post 63 attached with locking mechanism 57 forces itforward to engage with opening 55 where interface pins for communicatingdata and transferring power between rigid display module 11 and foldablecomputing device 15. Magnet 51, which is attached to sliding connector36 connects with magnet 53, which is attached to the inside of slidingchannel interface 35 to allow both parts to be coupled together whensliding connector 36 is slid within sliding channel interface 35.Magnets are shown populated throughout each side of the interface nextto magnet 51 and magnet 53 to allow for greater connection strengthbetween sliding connector 36 and sliding channel interface 35. Releasebutton 59 is attached to locking mechanism 57 so that it can be accessedby a user of the device from the bottom side of the folding computingdevice 15. Release button 59 is also shown on the bottom side of foldingcomputing device 15 in FIG. 3 where it is situated within a channel sothat it can slide inward to release sliding connector 36. FIG. 4 furtherillustrates locking mechanism 57 with three sectional drawings of thelocking sequence. The top section shows the device in a locked statewhere locking mechanism 57 is engaged with opening 55 from slidingconnector 35 allowing the two parts to be in a fixed position. In themiddle sectional drawing, release button 59 and locking mechanism areshown in a retracted position which releases sliding connector 35 sothat is can freely slide inward or outward to be attached or detachedfrom foldable computing device 15. The final sectional drawing at thebottom of FIG. 4 shows sliding connector 35 repositioned to illustratehow it is free to slide outward so that rigid display module 11 can befully unlocked and detached. It should be noted that while rigid displaymodule 11 is shown as a separate component that is being attached tomobile computing device 15 which contains the flexible display, coreelectronics, and peripheral interfaces of the device, rigid displaymodule 11 may carry the core electronics and peripherals of the devicewith the flexible display acting as the module instead. Slidingconnector 35 could also be used implemented to attach to foldable mobiledevice 15 such that it doesn't require a sliding mechanism. It couldinstead simply plug into the side of foldable mobile device 15 orconnect to it with magnets and interface pads.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, position 81shows foldable computing device 15 situated with rigid display module 11in a similar position as shown in the final embodiment of FIG. 1 whereboth parts are attached with each other and fully unfolded. This showshow rigid display module 11 can be situated in an unfolded position sothat both rigid display 19 and the flexible display with its segments 21and 17 from foldable mobile device 15 can be used simultaneously.Positions 83 and 85 show rigid display module 11 folded to the back sideof the device, while positions 87 and 89 show the full assembly andflexible display segments 21 and 17 being folded flat against each othersuch that rigid display 19 from rigid display module 11 can be used asthe core display when the device is being used as a handheld phone. Thisconcept is further illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 where each embodiment showsa different interface for modular rigid display 11. In FIG. 6, theembodiment for foldable computing device 15 with an integrated flexibledisplay is shown detached in the top drawing and then attached tomodular rigid display 11 in the bottom drawing, which in this case hasinterface tabs 75 and 77 that connect to slots 93 and 95 and a slidingconnector 35. In FIG. 7 the sequence is shown, but in this case modularrigid display 11 is illustrated having flat interface pads 97 thatconnects to flat interface pads 95 while sliding connector 35 engageswith sliding channel interface 36 on foldable mobile device 15. In FIG.8 the same sequence is shown again but modular rigid display 11 usesonly interface tabs 75 and 77 to attach to slots 93 and 95 on the backside of foldable computing device 15, but doesn't include slidingconnector 35. Finally, in FIG. 9, rigid display module is shown havingflat interface pads 97 that connect to flat interface pads 95 from theback side 73 of foldable computing device 15. Pins may also be used tomake the electrical connection between the rigid display module and theflexible display portion. Additionally, camera 90 situated on back side73 of foldable computing device 15, is able to penetrate a transparentwindow that sits along the surface of rigid display 19 when it is foldedflat and integrated with foldable computing device 15, which is the samecase for each embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-9. It is important to notethat the rigid display module in each embodiment can also communicatewith the flexible display device's primary electronics through awireless connection, such as with Bluetooth, rather than a physicalelectronic connection.

The flexible display integrated with foldable computing device 15 mayalso be implemented with different aspect ratios beyond what is shown inthe drawings and through different types of flexible displaytechnologies. The ratios may include ranges that would result in arectangular unfolded state shape when flexible display segments 17 and23 are approximately square in shape, and a square unfolded state shape,when flexible display 17 and 23 segments are rectangular in shape, asshown in the drawings. These aspect ratios may range from approximately22:9 to 1:1 and are applicable to the full flexible display, thesegments that make up the flexible display, and the rigid display aswell. The flexible display technology may include, but is not limited toOLED, Mini-LED, and Micro-LED technology.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: (a) a rigidtouch-sensitive display; (b) a flexible touch-sensitive displaycomprising a first flexible touch-sensitive display component and asecond flexible touch-sensitive display component; wherein: (1) thefirst flexible touch-sensitive display component is attached to a firststructural support segment; (2) the second flexible touch-sensitivedisplay component is attached to a second structural support segment;(3) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having afully folded state; (4) the flexible touch-sensitive display furthercomprises having a partially expanded state; (5) the flexibletouch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully expanded state;(c) a first connection interface integrated with the first structuralsupport or the second structural support, and a second connectioninterface integrated with the rigid touch-sensitive display, wherein thefirst connection interface and the second connection interface can beattached and detached from each other.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein: the first connection interface and the second connectioninterface can be attached to each other through magnets.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first connection interface and thesecond connection interface can be attached to each other through a taband a slot where the tab is situated on one interface such that it canengage with a slot situated on the other interface.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein: the first connection interface and the secondconnection interface can be attached to each other through a lockingmechanism.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: the locking mechanismcomprises a spring-loaded release button.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1wherein: the first connection interface and the second connectioninterface provide an electrical connection between each other once theyare attached.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the first connectioninterface and the second connection interface provide an electricalconnection between each other through conductive pads once they areattached.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the first connectioninterface and the second connection interface provide an electricalconnection between each other once they are attached through conductivepins.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the rigid touch-sensitivedisplay and the flexible touch-sensitive display and their supportingelectronics can communicate with each other through a wirelessconnection.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the fully folded statecomprises a fully folded angle between the first flexibletouch-sensitive display component and the second flexibletouch-sensitive display component that is less than 10 degrees; and thefully expanded state comprises a fully expanded angle between the firstflexible touch-sensitive display component and the second flexibletouch-sensitive display component that is between 170 and 190 degrees;and the partially expanded state comprises an angle that falls betweenthe fully folded state and the fully expanded state.
 11. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein: the first connection interface is situated along atleast one edge of the flexible touch-sensitive display's firststructural support or second structural support; and the secondconnection interface is situated along at least one edge of the rigidtouch-sensitive display.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: thefirst connection interface is comprised of a channel situated along theedge of the flexible touch sensitive display's first structural supportor the second structural support; and the second connection interface iscomprised of a sliding connector that can slide within the channel suchthat the structural segment of the flexible touch-sensitive display canbe attached to the edge of the rigid touch-sensitive display.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein: the second connection interface iscomprised of a channel situated along the edge of the rigidtouch-sensitive display; and the first connection interface is comprisedof a sliding connector that can slide within the channel such that theedge of the rigid touch-sensitive display can be attached to theflexible touch-sensitive display's first structural segment or secondstructural segment.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: a flexiblematerial is situated between the second connection interface and theedge of the rigid touch-sensitive display such that when the secondconnection interface is attached to the first connection interface, therigid touch-sensitive display can rotate about edge of the flexibletouch-sensitive display structural segment edge.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein: a flexible material is situated between the firstconnection interface and the edge of the of the flexible touch-sensitivedisplay structural segment such that when the second connectioninterface is attached to the first connection interface, the rigidtouch-sensitive display can rotate about the edge of the flexibletouch-sensitive display structural segment edge.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein: a mechanism is situated between the second connectioninterface and the edge of the rigid touch-sensitive display such thatwhen the second connection interface is attached to the first connectioninterface, the rigid touch-sensitive display can rotate about edge ofthe flexible touch-sensitive display structural segment edge.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein: a mechanism is situated between the firstconnection interface and the edge of the of the flexible touch-sensitivedisplay structural segment such that when the second connectioninterface is attached to the first connection interface, the rigidtouch-sensitive display can rotate about the edge of the flexibletouch-sensitive display structural segment edge.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein: the first connection interface is situated along theback side of the flexible touch-sensitive display's first structuralsupport or second structural support; and the second connectioninterface is situated along the back side of the rigid touch-sensitivedisplay.